The Niger Delta, Nigeria's oil-rich region, faces severe environmental damage from decades of oil spills, affecting local livelihoods. The Nigerian government's billion-dollar cleanup project, funded by international oil companies and guided by a UNEP report, has sparked mixed reactions. Activists like Legborsi Yamaabana criticize the project for corruption and inefficiency, while others, such as Fyneface Dumnamene, commend the government's commitment but highlight procurement issues. HYPREP, the agency overseeing the cleanup, faces lawsuits and skepticism from locals. Despite some progress, significant challenges and frustrations remain, with environmentalists warning that full restoration could take decades.

In Nigeria, the demand for vultures driven by spiritual practices and traditional medicine is pushing local vulture populations to near extinction. The Nigerian Conservation Foundation is actively working to preserve these birds, engaging with communities to dispel superstitions. Vulture parts, especially heads, are highly valued in local markets for their supposed spiritual and medicinal properties. The illegal trade in vultures is lucrative, with significant trafficking reported. BirdLife International highlights the critical role vultures play in the ecosystem, noting a severe decline in their populations across Africa due to poisoning.

Chinese investment in Nigeria's oil and gas industry has reached $16 billion, with the China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC) being the largest Chinese investor. Despite the significant investment, concerns about transparency and corruption in Nigeria's oil sector persist. Nigeria aims to increase its oil production to 3 million barrels per day by 2023, while China seeks to offset its declining domestic oil production. Skepticism remains due to Nigeria's history of corruption and challenges in the oil-producing regions. Some experts advocate for Nigeria to explore renewable energy sources, but the country continues to focus on oil, with significant projects like Aliko Dangote's new refinery in Lagos.

The Nigerian government has accused the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) and its detained leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, of plotting a violent revolution with Iran's support. The IMN, a Shiite group, has faced severe repression, including a deadly 2015 raid and a recent ban labeling their activities as terrorism. Human rights organizations have condemned the government's actions, drawing parallels to past heavy-handed tactics. The conflict underscores broader Sunni-Shiite tensions influenced by Saudi and Iranian interests in Nigeria.

Children in northeastern Nigeria are being detained by authorities on suspicion of links to Boko Haram, often with little or no evidence. Human Rights Watch's recent report highlights the arbitrary arrests and harsh conditions faced by these children, including overcrowded detention facilities and lack of basic care. The U.N. reported over 3,600 children detained by Nigerian armed forces between 2013 and 2019. Amnesty International has previously described the conditions in Giwa Barracks, a primary detention center, as deadly. Personal accounts from detained children reveal severe mistreatment and abuse, including sexual advances by soldiers.

Kabwe, Zambia, is one of the world's most toxic cities due to a century of lead mining, leaving a legacy of severe lead contamination affecting over 200,000 residents. Despite efforts to remediate, about 50,000 people remain at risk, with children showing dangerously high blood-lead levels. The mine, once a major economic driver, was nationalized and mismanaged, leading to widespread pollution. Current efforts by environmental organizations and the government have had limited success. A class-action lawsuit seeks compensation and cleanup, targeting Anglo American Plc for its role in the contamination. The situation highlights severe environmental injustices and ongoing health crises.

Abdulhamid Bala narrowly escaped a Boko Haram attack in Gwoza, Borno State, Nigeria, but lost his father and brother in the chaos. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reports nearly 22,000 Nigerians missing, mostly due to Boko Haram's insurgency. The conflict has displaced 2 million people, many seeking refuge in Maiduguri. The ICRC, working with state agencies, has reunited some families, but challenges remain due to security and capacity issues. Emotional distress is common among refugees with missing relatives, with organizations like the International Organization for Migration providing support.

Aisha Wakil, known as 'Mama Boko Haram,' leverages her personal connections with Boko Haram fighters to mediate peace deals, negotiate hostage releases, and persuade militants to disarm. Despite her efforts, escalating violence is making her mission increasingly difficult.

The article discusses the plight of LGBTQ individuals in Africa, focusing on the harsh laws and societal attitudes they face. It highlights the story of Ifeanyi Orazulike, a gay Nigerian, and the recent signing of the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition bill by President Goodluck Jonathan, which imposes severe penalties for same-sex couples and their supporters. Despite widespread condemnation from international bodies, such laws enjoy support among many Africans who view them as a defense against Western imperialism. The article also challenges the notion that homosexuality is 'un-African' by citing historical evidence of homosexual customs in pre-colonial Africa. It features perspectives from various African countries, including Uganda, Cameroon, and Senegal, and discusses the political and cultural complexities surrounding gay identity in Africa. The article concludes with personal accounts of individuals who, despite the risks, choose to embrace their sexuality and identity in the face of adversity.

Nigeria is in a state of paralysis following the controversial presidential election on February 25, 2023. The upcoming gubernatorial and State Houses of Assembly elections are seen as a mere formality, with expectations of continued electoral injustice. The author criticizes the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the All Progressives Congress (APC), and President Muhammadu Buhari for their roles in the perceived election rigging. The opposition parties, Labour Party and People's Democratic Party (PDP), are faulted for not uniting against the ruling party and for participating in the elections, which the author believes legitimizes the rigged process. The article calls for a collective fight for justice to save Nigeria's future.